Fayette to Washington Heights is 258.9 miles and takes about 5 hours 27 minutes via Keystone Shortway and I-81, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New York, moving from the Northeast region to the Northeast region. The route offers a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, making it a practical option for a single-day drive. You can expect a straightforward drive with a predictable travel time and cost.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129.4 miles from Fayette, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Keystone Shortway
80 mi
1h 37m
I 81
73.5 mi
1h 28m
I 380
23.6 mi
25m
State Highway 79
15.2 mi
17m
Slaterville Road
11.1 mi
16m
State Highway 89
10.1 mi
13m
Trumansburg Road
8.8 mi
13m
Christopher Columbus Highway
5.5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Keystone Shortway
— 80 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-80
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 336 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,190 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,979
Quietest
1 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayette, NY and Washington Heights, NY.
1
Start on CR-124
119 ft·8 sec·County Road 124
2
Turn left onto NY 414
3.2 mi·4 min·Ovid Street
3
Turn left onto CR 128
2.4 mi·4 min·Ernsberger Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto NY 89
10 mi·13 min·State Highway 89
5
Turn right onto CR 141
0.9 mi·1 min·County Road 141
6
Continue on CR 141A
1.5 mi·2 min·Powell Road
7
Turn left onto NY 96
4.0 mi·5 min·State Highway 96
8
Continue on NY 96
0.1 mi·11 sec·Trumansburg Road
9
Continue on NY 96
1.4 mi·2 min·West Main Street
10
Continue on NY 96
8.7 mi·12 min·Trumansburg Road
11
Continue on NY 96
1.0 mi·2 min·Cliff Street
12
Continue on NY 96
0.2 mi·22 sec·West Buffalo Street
13
Turn right onto Taughannock Boulevard
523 ft·24 sec·Taughannock Boulevard
14
Turn left onto NY 79
510 ft·11 sec·West State Street
15
Turn right onto NY 13; NY 34; NY 96; NY 79
345 ft·12 sec·South Fulton Street
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto NY 79
0.8 mi·2 min·West Green Street
Use the slight left lane.
17
Continue on NY 79
1.1 mi·2 min·East State Street
18
Continue on NY 79
11 mi·16 min·Slaterville Road
19
Continue on NY 79
15 mi·17 min·State Highway 79
20
Continue on NY 79
3.1 mi·3 min·Main Street
21
Turn right onto NY 26
0.6 mi·47 sec·NY 26
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 81 South
23
Merge onto I 81
20 mi·24 min·I 81
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 81
53 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 81
Toward I 81 South: ScrantonUse the straight lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·US 6
Exit 187Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt PoconoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 84; I 380
3.7 mi·4 min·I 84; I 380
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South: Mount Pocono, MilfordUse the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 380
24 mi·25 min·I 380
Exit 4Toward I 380 South: Mount Pocono
28
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward I 80 East: Stroudsburg
29
Merge onto I 80
80 mi·1 hr 37 min·Keystone Shortway
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 80
5.5 mi·5 min·Christopher Columbus Highway
Toward I 95: George Washington Bridge Lower LevelUse the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 70A-BToward Leonia, TeaneckUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn right
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 70AToward LeoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn straight onto CR 56
454 ft·9 sec·Degraw Avenue
35
Continue on CR 56
1.1 mi·2 min·Fort Lee Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Continue on CR 56
469 ft·13 sec·Main Street
37
Take the ramp
472 ft·12 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge
38
Merge onto US 1; US 9; US 46
0.3 mi·28 sec·Bergen Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
312 ft·4 sec
Toward George Washington Bridge Upper Level
40
Merge onto I 95 EXPR
0.3 mi·20 sec·I 95 EXPR
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 95 EXPR
0.8 mi·1 min·I 95 EXPR
42
Continue on I 95; US 1; US 9
0.5 mi·45 sec·George Washington Bridge (upper level)
43
Take the exit onto US 9
0.1 mi·13 sec·US 9
Exit 1AToward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9
0.2 mi·42 sec·US 9
Toward West 178th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Turn left onto US 9
0.2 mi·34 sec·Broadway
Use the straight / left lanes.
46
Arrive at destination
US 9
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With a duration under 6 hours, it's perfectly doable in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, a single overnight stop could be incorporated. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the main highways, and budget around $41 for gas.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 129.4 miles from Fayette, NY, or about 2h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 57 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.4 miles or 2h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washington Heights, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fayette, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fayette, NY
This is one driving day of about 258.9 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Fayette, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Keystone Shortway for about 80 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 139.7 and 258.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
139.7 mi into trip|~3h 2m in|US 6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 6 toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbondale, Mt Pocono
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 187
Toward I 84 East, I 380 South, US 6 East: Carbo...
8
254.2 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 95 North: George Washington Bridge, Ne...
9
254.5 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Leonia, Teaneck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 70A-B
Toward Leonia, Teaneck
8
258.4 mi into trip|~5h 25m in|US 9
Take the exit onto US 9 toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward NY 9A: Henry Hudson Parkway, West 178th...
8
258.5 mi into trip|~5h 25m in|US 9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 9 toward West 178th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward West 178th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.32 one way
$90.64 round trip
$4.45/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.82
$49.11
$98.22
premium
$5.23
$53.31
$106.62
diesel
$6.28
$63.97
$127.94
Estimated Tolls: $16.00
George Washington Bridge
$16.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Tolls
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.7
0
$27.18
$12.43
Efficient EV
64.7
0
$22.65
$10.36
EV Truck/SUV
103.6
1
$36.25
$16.57
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Fayette, NY
Late night
in Fayette on Saturday
Local time
4:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
S 0 to 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Washington Heights, NY
Late night
in Washington Heights on Saturday
Local time
4:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 27m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
National Memorial
Merchant’s clerk, Revolutionary War soldier, first Secretary Treasury of the United States: Alexander Hamilton’s life is memorialized at The Grange, the home he built on a country estate in uptown Man...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 259.7
The final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia, is the largest mausoleum in North America. It testifies to a people’s gratitude for the man who ended the bloodiest conflict...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 259.7
Women’s Rights National Historical Park tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York on July 19-20, 1848. It is a story of struggles for civil rights, human r...
Before the 1960s, almost everything about living authentically as a lesbian, a bisexual person or a gay man was illegal. The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 is a milestone in the quest for civil r...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 259.7
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 259.7
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 259.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 51% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster-paced roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 80 miles on the Keystone Shortway. After that, expect to transition to surface roads, which will likely involve more frequent stops and lower average speeds. The shift from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you encounter more local traffic and potential slowdowns.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80 mi on Keystone Shortway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 139.7 miles in near US 6.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 258.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 139.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 254.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 254.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,823 ft178 ft
Total Climb
1,932 ft
Total Descent
2,366 ft
Highest Point
1,823 ft
~148.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,645 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fayette, NY and Washington Heights, NY, road signs point toward Mt Pocono and Milford.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 258.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80 miles on Keystone Shortway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $16.00 in tolls one way, starting with George Washington Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 26 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Washington Heights, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 139.7 miles (US 6): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 254.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 254.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Hamilton Grange National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and Women's Rights National Historical Park (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Washington Heights, NY before the return drive.
